Aerosol composition containing silicone-based fluid and improved spray system

Abstract

An aerosol composition includes an admixture of: (a) at least one silicone-based fluid and (b) at least one fluorine-containing propellant that is soluble in the silicone-based fluid. In a preferred embodiment, the propellant includes a hydrofluorocarbon, in particular 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. An aerosol spray system includes: (a) a container; (b) the aerosol composition described above disposed within the container; (c) a metering device; and (d) a spray head. An aerosol lubricating composition includes the composition described above, wherein the silicone-based fluid is a lubricant. A method of lubricating, includes: (a) directing a container containing the lubricating composition described above at an article in need of lubrication; and (b) spraying the lubricating composition at the article. A flammable aerosol composition includes an aerosol composition which includes an admixture of: (a) at least one silicone-based fluid; and (b) at least one fluorine-containing propellant that is soluble in the silicone-based fluid, wherein the silicone-based fluid is a low viscosity silicone-based fluid. A spray system has improved spray characteristics for the aerosol composition by reducing the flow rate of the composition as it is being dispensed.

We claim:  
     
       1. An aerosol composition which comprises an admixture of: 
       (a) at least one silicone-based fluid; and  
       (b) at least one fluorine-containing propellant that is soluble in the silicone-based fluid, wherein the composition includes less than about 10 wt. % of a solubilizing agent based on the weight of the composition.  
     
     
       2. An aerosol composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the propellant comprises a hydrofluorocarbon. 
     
     
       3. An aerosol composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the propellant comprises 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. 
     
     
       4. An aerosol composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the amount of the silicone-based fluid added to the admixture is in the range of from about 30 to 95 wt. %, and the amount of propellant added to the admixture is in the range of from about 5 to 80 wt. %, all based on the weight of the entire composition. 
     
     
       5. An aerosol spray system comprising: 
       (a) a container;  
       (b) the aerosol composition according to  claim 1  disposed within the container;  
       (c) a metering device; and  
       (d) a spray head.  
     
     
       6. An aerosol lubricating composition comprising the composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicone-based fluid is a lubricant. 
     
     
       7. An aerosol lubricating composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the admixture further comprises, a second silicone-based lubricant. 
     
     
       8. An aerosol lubricating composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the silicone-based lubricant comprises a siloxane functionalized with iron. 
     
     
       9. An aerosol lubricating composition according to  claim 6 , wherein the silicone-based lubricant comprises a dimethyl silicone functionalized with iron. 
     
     
       10. A nonflammable, heat stable aerosol lubricating composition which comprises an admixture of: 
       (a) a silicone-based lubricant comprising a silicone functionalized with iron present in an amount of about 45 to 55 wt. %;  
       (b) a second silicone-based lubricant present in an amount of about 15 to 20 wt. % and having a viscosity in the range of about 1,000 to 3,000 centistokes; and  
       (c) 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane present in an amount of about 25 to 35 wt. %, all based on the weight of the entire composition, wherein the composition includes less than about 10 wt. % of a solubilizing agent based on the weight of the composition.  
     
     
       11. A method of lubricating, comprising: 
       (a) directing a container containing the lubricating composition according to  claim 6  at an article in need of lubrication; and  
       (b) spraying the lubricating composition at the article.  
     
     
       12. A method of lubricating as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the article is the die face of an extruder for manufacturing synthetic fibers. 
     
     
       13. A flammable aerosol composition comprising the composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicone-based fluid is a low viscosity silicone-based fluid. 
     
     
       14. A flammable aerosol composition according to  claim 13 , where, upon spraying, the low viscosity silicone-based fluid has an average particle size of less than about 500 microns. 
     
     
       15. A flammable aerosol composition according to  claim 13 , where, upon spraying, the low viscosity silicone-based fluid has an average particle size of less than about 500 microns. 
     
     
       16. A flammable aerosol composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the low viscosity silicone-based fluid has a viscosity in the range of about ≧400 centistokes. 
     
     
       17. An aerosol composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition contains substantially no solubilizing agent. 
     
     
       18. A method of reducing the dispensing rate of a nonflammable, heat stable aerosol lubricating composition comprising an admixture of: a silicone-based lubricant comprising a silicone functionalized with iron present in an amount of about 45 to 55 wt. %; a second silicone-based lubricant present in an amount of about 15 to 20 wt. % and having a viscosity in the range of about 1,000 to 3,000 centistokes; and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane present in an amount of about 25 to 35 wt. %, all based on the weight of the entire composition, wherein the method comprises: 
       (a) providing an aerosol container containing the lubricating composition, wherein the aerosol container includes a valve comprising a valve stem having one or more orifices for transporting the composition from the interior of the container to an outlet passage for the valve stem, wherein said one or more orifices has a reduced cross-section;  
       (b) directing the container at an article in need of lubrication; and  
       (c) spraying the lubricating composition at the article, wherein the composition includes less than about 10 wt. % of a solubilizing agent based on the weight of the composition.  
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more orifices for transporting is a single orifice having a diameter in the range of about 0.024 inches or less. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the one or more orifices for transporting is a single orifice having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 to 0.020 inches. 
     
     
       21. An aerosol spray system having a reduced dispensing rate comprising: 
       (a) a nonflammable, heat stable aerosol lubricating composition comprising an admixture of: a silicone-based lubricant comprising a silicone functionalized with iron present in an amount of about 45 to 55 wt. %; a second silicone-based lubricant present in an amount of about 15 to 20 wt. % and having a viscosity in the range of about 1,000 to 3,000 centistokes; and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane present in an amount of about 25 to 35 wt. %, all based on the weight of the entire composition;  
       (b) a container;  
       (c) a valve in fluid communication with the container, wherein the valve includes a valve stem having one or more orifices for transporting the composition from the interior of the container to an outlet passage of the valve stem, wherein said one or more orifices has a reduced cross-section; and  
       (d) a dip tube, wherein the composition includes less than about 10 wt. % of a solubilizing agent based on the weight of the composition.  
     
     
       22. An aerosol spray system according to  claim 21 , wherein the dip tube has a decreased length. 
     
     
       23. An aerosol spray system according to  claim 21 , wherein the one or more orifices for transporting is a single orifice having a diameter in the range of about 0.024 inches or less. 
     
     
       24. An aerosol spray system according to  claim 21 , wherein the one or more orifices for transporting is a single orifice having a diameter in the range of about 0.012 to 0.020 inches. 
     
     
       25. A method of preventing the constriction of a nonflammable, heat stable aerosol lubricating composition out of an aerosol spray system, wherein the composition comprises an admixture of: a silicone-based lubricant comprising a silicone functionalized with iron present in an amount of about 45 to 55 wt. %; a second silicone-based lubricant present in an amount of about 15 to 20 wt. % and having a viscosity in the range of about 1,000 to 3,000 centistokes; and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane present in an amount of about 25 to 35 wt. %, all based on the weight of the entire composition, and wherein the method comprises: 
       (a) providing an aerosol container containing the lubricating composition, wherein the aerosol container comprises a valve comprising a valve stem having one or more orifices for transporting the composition from the interior of the container to an outlet passage for the valve stem, wherein said one or more orifices has a reduced cross-section;  
       (b) directing the container at an article in need of lubrication; and  
       (c) spraying the lubricating composition at the article, wherein the decreased length of the dip tube prevents constriction of the composition in the dip tube to provide a uniform repeatable dispensing of the composition, wherein The composition includes less than about 10 wt. % of a solubilizing agent based on the weight of the composition.